THE only online bookmaker listing first-scorer prices on all SPFL games are McBookie.com.
It’s a great service they provide and we’ve teamed up with the Scots firm to look at some of the best bets from the Scottish lower leagues. Also, leave your pick of first scorers at the end of this article for a chance to win a £10 free bet with McBookie.com.
You can choose this weekend from the Premiership, Championship and League One. One correct entry will be picked at random to win the prize. Quote player, team, his odds and a reason if you like.
Meanwhile, here is McBookie.com’s Damian Walker with his weekend selections.
Scott Shepherd (Forfar)
So I am going to start this Boxing Day column in League One, where a side that has taken just one point from their last five league games are an incredible 1/2 to win away from home.
The team in question are Cove Rangers, who travel to face 19/4 shots, Forfar Athletic.
Whilst I am not arguing that the Loons should be favourites – as they have already lost twice to Cove this season – but odds of almost 5/1 seem far too big given the current form of the visitors.
And remember we are looking for a first scorer and Cove Rangers shipped three goals in a home defeat last weekend to a Clyde side that had scored just four goals in their previous six games and none in their previous two away matches.
Goals have been in short supply as well this season for Forfar striker Scott Shepherd, who joined from Edinburgh City, where he had scored 20 goals.
Hopefully Shepherd can get off the mark for his new club with the opening goal of the game – a 7/1 shot with McBookie.
Declan McManus (Dunfermline)
For my second selection I am going to go for Dunfermline, who showed great character to come from three goals behind last weekend to grab a 3-3 draw away to Dundee.
I was half expecting a below-par performance from the Pars last weekend after a draining midweek loss on penalties to St Johnstone in the League Cup and so it was.
I fully expect to see them bounce back to their best on Boxing Day at home to Arbroath, who they comfortably took care of last month in an away League Cup tie.
Odds of 8/11 about the Pars look very fair as I would have had them shorter.
Dunfermline striker Declan McManus has seven goals from his last 11 games, including the final two goals last weekend at Dundee.
McManus is 7/2 with McBookie to pick up where he left off with the opening goal of the game.
Charlie Adam (Dundee)
Finally under-fire Dundee boss James McPake said that loisng that three-goal lead last weekend was one of the worst “defeats” of his career.
He could be gone after Boxing Day if his side fail to win at Queen of the South but they really ought to get something from their trip, as the Doonhamers have conceded 11 goals and scored just once from their last three games.
It shows how far expectations have been scaled down for Dundee that they can be backed at 21/20 for a game like this.
Having been against them for most of the season, Dee now look a bit of value at odds against.
Charlie Adam, who might be waiting in the wings to take over should McPake get punted, has five goals from 12 games since arriving at Dens Park and is 6/1 with McBookie to get his sixth with the opener.
Can you find a winner!
In December 2020 we sadly 
